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The Godiva Story

The true Story of a Craftsman Chocolate Maker

The Godiva Story

This is the true story of a craftsmon chocolate maker, whose legendary name has become a symbol of luxury and prestige across the world. This is the Godiva Story.

THE GODIVA STORY BEGINS WITH PRALINE

This sweet mixture of finely ground almonds or hazelnuts and caramelized sugar was first married with chocolate in Belgium, to create what’s now known worldwide as the classic Belgian Chocolate. In 1926, Pierre Draps Senior handcrafted praline chocolates, or pralines, in the workshop of his Brussels home and the smooth, creamy Godiva praline chocolate was born.

Artisanal Workshop 1948

Work in Pierre’s at-home chocolate factory quickly became a family affair, with his wife and their four children helping to produce, finish, package and deliver these chocolate confectionary delights. The elegant chocolates were then sold in the smartest department stores in Brussels, to those with a taste for the finest things in life.

Such decadent and irresistible chocolates deserved an evocative name, and the family decided that Godiva conjured the perfect image to represent their luxury chocolate brand. Inspired by the passion, boldness and generosity of Lady Godiva from the old English legend, the name Godiva is now synonymous with a luxurious chocolate experience and the Lady herself can be seen on Godiva chocolates, packaging and signage worldwide.

Family Draps

Following the death of their parents, the Godiva legacy was passed to the young Draps Yvonne - who evolved the family business, born in a Brussels atelier, into the renowned chocolate brand that it is today. Joseph Draps moved the growing business out of the home workshop and opened the first Godiva boutique. This magical chocolate shop on Boulevard Leopold, Brussels, meant that those covetable handmade Godiva chocolates could be sold directly, as well as through department stores, connecting with the hearts of chocolate lovers in the Belgian capital. It was followed three years later by the unveiling of an opulent flagship boutique on Brussels iconic Grand Place square, which can still be visited today.

It soon became clear that it wasn’t just Belgian chocolate lovers that would appreciate these decadent Belgian chocolates, and the Godiva story spread across the globe. Naturally, the French appreciated these fine ‘bon bons’ and, in 1958, Godiva set up shop on the chic Rue St. Honore in Paris. In 1966 Godiva travelled across the pond, hitting the shelves of Wanamaker’s, the finest department store in Philadelphia, before opening a brand new boutique on New York’s famous Fifth Avenue in 1972. Then it was time to hit Asia, with elegant boutiques opening in the prestigious department stores Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi in Tokyo, Japan and Sogo in Hong Kong. Going into another millennia, Godiva opened sleek, modern boutiques in Singapore in 2001 and Taiwan in 2002.

Godiva Regent Street

In London, you’ll find several Godiva boutiques, including the grand flagship store on Regent Street and stores in Covent Garden Market, Canary Wharf and St Pancras Station. You’ll also find Godiva in three of London’s smartest department stores, Harrods, Selfridges and John Lewis. Selfridges Manchester ensures that Godiva has a Northern presence in the UK.

The modern Godiva experience encompasses much more than the classic handcrafted chocolates that it’s best known for. Alongside the dreamy chocolate counters piled high with truffles, ganaches and those original chocolate pralines, the range of Godiva treats now includes coffee and biscuits, with selected stores also offering dipped fruits, ice creams and the sumptuous hot and cold Godiva Chocolixir drinks.

Having grown the Godiva brand from humble beginnings in a small Brussels workshop in 1926 to a globally recognized luxury chocolate brand, Pierre Draps continued to innovate for Godiva in his twilight years. In 2007, aged 88, he created a special range of chocolates to mark the renovation of the original Grand Place boutique – bringing the Godiva journey full circle, back to its Belgian home.

Today, Godiva is available in more than 80 countries worldwide, but the values of this Belgian brand still remain true to the vision of Pierre Draps, his family and his father before him. Inspired by the passion, boldness and generosity of their namesake, the irresistible Godiva chocolate collection continues to delight and charm chocolate lovers everywhere.

Pierre Draps 2012

Godiva’s founder Pierre Draps created delicious chocolates until his very last days in 2012. Our chef chocolatiers are proud to follow in his footsteps and keep the legacy of fine Belgian chocolates alive – and so the Godiva story continues…

“I was born in chocolate…it has seduced me and I have dedicated myself all my life to this art. I have lived a wonderful dream.” Pierre Draps, 1919 - 2012.

“I was born in chocolate…it has seduced me and I have dedicated myself all my life to this art. I have lived a wonderful dream.”

Pierre Draps, 1919 - 2012.

The Godiva Story

This is the true story of a craftsman chocolate maker, whose legendary name has become a symbol of luxury and prestige the world over. This is the Godiva Story.

The godiva story begins with praline.

This sweet mixture of finely ground almonds or hazelnuts and caramelized sugar was first married with chocolate in Belgium, to create what’s now known worldwide as the classic Belgian Chocolate. In 1926, Pierre Draps Senior handcrafted praline chocolates, or pralines, in the workshop of his Brussels home and the smooth, creamy Godiva praline chocolate was born.

Artisanal Workshop 1948

Work in Pierre’s at-home chocolate factory quickly became a family affair, with his wife and their four children helping to produce, finish, package and deliver these chocolate confectionary delights.

Such decadent and irresistible chocolates deserved an evocative name, and the family decided that Godiva conjured the perfect image to represent their luxury chocolate brand. Inspired by the passion, boldness and generosity of Lady Godiva from the old English legend, the name Godiva is now synonymous with a luxurious chocolate experience and the Lady herself can be seen on Godiva chocolates, packaging and signage worldwide.

Family Draps

The Godiva legacy was passed to the young Draps Yvonne - who evolved the family business, born in a Brussels atelier, into the renowned chocolate brand that it is today. Joseph Draps moved the growing business out of the home workshop and opened the first Godiva boutique on Boulevard Leopold, Brussels.

It soon became clear that it wasn’t just Belgian chocolate lovers that would appreciate these decadent Belgian chocolates, and the Godiva story spread across the globe. In 1966 Godiva travelled across the pond, hitting the shelves of Wanamaker’s, the finest department store in Philadelphia, before opening a brand new boutique on New York’s famous Fifth Avenue in 1972.

Godiva Regent Street

In London, you’ll find several Godiva boutiques, including the grand flagship store on Regent Street and stores in Covent Garden Market, Canary Wharf and St Pancras Station. You’ll also find Godiva in three of London’s smartest department stores, Harrods, Selfridges and John Lewis. Selfridges Manchester ensures that Godiva has a Northern presence in the UK.

Today, Godiva is available in more than 80 countries worldwide, but the values of this Belgian brand still remain true to the vision of Pierre Draps, his family and his father before him. Inspired by the passion, boldness and generosity of their namesake, the irresistible Godiva chocolate collection continues to delight and charm chocolate lovers everywhere.

Pierre Draps 2012

Godiva’s founder Pierre Draps created delicious chocolates until his very last days in 2012. Our chef chocolatiers are proud to follow in his footsteps and keep the legacy of fine Belgian chocolates alive – and so the Godiva story continues…